June 6, 2008

Father's Day is almost here

I’m not sure whether it’s simply the male DNA to blame, or some chemical/biological change that occurred the moment he became a father, but either way, my dad is impossible to shop for. He doesn't want for new clothes (still wearing t-shirts from well before I was born), has no hobbies really (unless you consider his clarinet playing, but he does that professionally so it doesn’t count), and is generally pretty content with the stuff he already owns.

So what to buy the man who doesn’t want or need anything? Well, he already has a lamp made from an old clarinet - seriously - so anything from the likes of Yours truly is out the window.

I looked to my fellow New New’ers for ideas, and here are some of my faves…

Message to dad: Stop wearing those awful clarinet ties! They are even dorkier than a piano tie, and most people wouldn’t have even thought that was possible. Now THIS is a tie! I have no idea what the text on it might say, but as a tie, it practically screams “I am the coolest dad ever!”

French cuffed shirts are a classic, classy look; it’s too bad more men don’t wear them. These super cool cuff links are a perfect gift for a new dad who needs some subtle fashion advice. Unfortunately my dad is too far gone.

I know for a fact that dad’s appreciate a nice, handmade soap. My grandparents were visiting this one time, and there just happened to be some goat’s milk soap that my mom had picked up at a craft event in the shower they were using, and my gramps went ga-ga over it. Help your dad ditch the Irish Spring and broaden his hygiene horizons (my dad’s name his Gene, insert pun there).

Or if you’re like me, it might be all about the card. Because he is, as I said, impossible to shop for, and as homage to the fact that I am truly my father’s daughter (read: I am cheap, and I learned it from watching you dad), I have been known to acknowledge Father’s Day with nothing more than a thoughtful card and a timely phone call. And you know what, I’m still his favorite daughter.